Online CPR Certification Blog

Date: July 3rd, 2014

The short term benefits of sun exposure are incredible but with time, sun can cause aging spots and wrinkles on the face. While a glowing complexion is in most cases associated with good health, obtaining skin color from sun exposure or a tanning booth, could accelerate the aging process and heighten your risk of getting skin cancer. Exposure to sun causes numerous skin changes which most people tend to think are a part of the normal aging process.

How the sun changes your skin

Being exposed to the sun might cause pre- cancerous cells and cancerous skin lesions that mostly result from the skin losing its immune function. The sun can also cause coarse and fine wrinkles, benign tumors, freckles, discolored skin areas, shallowness or yellow skin discoloration, telangiectasis or dilation of the small blood vessels below the skin. Sun can also cause elastosis which is the process in which collagen and elastic tissues are destroyed thus leading to wrinkles and facial lines.

Causes and types of skin cancer

Of all the many types of cancers in US, skin cancer is the most prevalent one and cases of skin cancer continue to increase day by day. It usually happens when skin cells grow in an abnormal and uncontrolled way thereby resulting in tumors, which could either be malignant or benign. Skin cancer usually occurs in three different types. These are basal cell carcinoma, melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is responsible for causing skin cancer. However, UV light on the skin from tanning beds can be equally harmful. Being exposed to the sun either in winter or summer exposes you to skin cancer in the same way. Being exposed to the sun cumulatively causes squamous cell skin and basal cell cancer while severe sun burn episodes results in melanoma in the later years of life. Skin cancer can also be caused by exposure to some chemicals as well as repeated exposure to x- ray.

Treatment options and prevention for skin cancer

The kind of treatment given for skin cancer is availed on individual basis and the type, location and size of the skin cancer as well as the preference of the patient plays a huge role in this. The standard treatments include mohs surgery, electrodessication and curettage and freezing or cryosurgery. Skin cancer prevention can be achieved in a number of ways starting applying sunscreen that has a high protection factor and choosing contact lenses, clothing and cosmetic products, which offer you protection against UV sun light rays. You should also opt to wear sunglasses that guarantee total UV protection as well as a hat with a wide brim for shading your neck and face. Exposure to direct sunlight should also be avoided and performing self skin exams is highly encouraged.